Palmdale CA vs St. Petersburg FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Palmdale
44,998
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
St. Petersburg
43.1
St. Petersburg +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 43.1 | St. Petersburg + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 10.1% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 66.2% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 3.1% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 9.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
$49,823
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $49,823 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 41.3% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 63.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 32.7% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.6% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.8 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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